78

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN

July 14, 1916.

Notes from the Coal Fields.

[Local Correspondence.]

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

Mote Amalgamation Rumours—Mr. F. L. Davis Retires from
Conciliation Board Chairmanship—Miners and Colliery
Combinations—Report about Coaling Stations—Baldwins
Developments—Col. D. Davies and War Office Appoint-
ment—Baltic Steamers—Harbour Manager Retires—
Subsidence Question—Pit Wood Imports.

It was only to be expected that the conclusion of the agree-
ment whereby the colliery properties of D. Davis and Sons
pass under the control of Lord Rhondda would give rise to
rumours of still further amalgamations; and Exchange gossip
immediately centred upon the Rhymney undertaking, among
others, seeing that Lord Rhondda is a director of that com-
pany. His lordship is also on the board of the Cynon
Colliery, the Celtic, the Fernhill, and the Imperial Naviga-
tion Company, being chairman of nearly all, and controlling
an output of abpnt 7| millions of tons, in South Wales. In
addition, he is a director of between 20 and 30 other com-
panies ; two of them local railways—the Taff Vale and the
Port Talbot. He is director also of the Coal Exchange, and
of companies having direct connection with France, Italy,
Spain, and America. One of the incidental outcomes of the
sale of D. Davis and Sons’ property is that Mr. F. L. Davis
retires from the coal trade, and consequently relinquishes
his position as chairman on the Conciliation Board. Another
incident is that Mr. A. Mitchelson, stockbroker, of Cardiff
and London, well-known for some years past for the dealings
of his firm in all kinds of colliery investments, now comes
forward as a director of the new combination.

•So far as is at present manifest, no further amalgamations
will take place; but the movement is provoking uneasiness
among the colliers, the past few years having witnessed
several important changes in this direction.

Following upon the declaration of another leader, Mr.
Vernon Hartshorn has taken up this subject of colliery com-
binations and the future interests of the workmen, arguing
that only through national action in the direction of collec-
tive ownership can the interests of the wage earners be main-
tained. He says : “ There is no time to lose if the working
classes are to be prepared with a policy to safeguard them-
selves in the new circumstances almost certain to come into
existence immediately the war is over.” In his opinion,
there are two roads to which the formation of trusts may
lead : one being a scries of colossal struggles between capital
and labour, the other into collective ownership; and it is the
latter that he desires to see brought about. He urges that
the trade unionists should at once take the problem into con-
sideration, and set before the public, a definite policy which
will enable the trusts to be absorbed into a nationally-owned
organisation, - political pressure being brought to bear, and
thus averting the danger of a tremendous industrial upheaval.

According to a report which has been circulated, it is pos-
sible that important coaling depots in the Mediterranean will
be directly associated with certain colliery companies, and
statements are made to the effect that negotiations have been
carried through in London whereby a well-known coaling
company has formed a system of depots around the Spanish
coast which will extend the greatest of coaling facilities to
steamers. The system embraces practically a chain of well-
known coaling depots which have been re-organised and fitted
for the purpose of giving modern coaling facilities to steamers
passing through the Mediterranean.

Messrs. Baldwins are developing their colliery properties
in Bryn and Aberbaiden districts of Port Talbot. They are
now sinking a new pit, and are developing the old slant,
which was formerly worked in connection with the Bryn pit.
Across the mountain further colliery extensions are being
carried out. At Aberbaiden and Tondau arrangements are
being made to convey electric supply from Bryn to these
pits.

The Pontypridd district of miners have discussed the ques-
tion of collecting income-tax from workmen, and it is
proposed that a committee of three should be appointed at
each colliery, which will take into consideration all such
questions as allowances in respect of tools, payment of check-
weighers, for lights and explosives, etc., and will be a channel
of communication to the surveyor of taxes. Another
suggestion was that arrangements should be made for
collecting the money through the colliery office.

Col. David Davies, M.P., who has accepted appoint-
ment as Parliamentary private secretary to the new
Minister of War (Mr. Lloyd George), is chairman of the
Ocean Coal and Wilsons Limited, which has nine collieries
in South Wales, employs over 10,000 men, and has an out-
put of 2J million tons of coal. Col. Davies is distinguished as
a philanthropist, especially for his establishment of the
Welsh national memorial to King Edward. Col. Davies
recently offered 500 acres on his Welsh estate for a colony of
discharged soldiers.

The announcement that a large number of British vessels
have been able to escape from Baltic ports caused great
interest on Cardiff market, because of its probable effect upon
rates of freight. Several of the vessels are owned in South
Wales, and are regularly engaged in the coal and pitwood
trades. It appears, however, as far as regards useful
“ tramp ” vessels, the escapes from the Baltic will not
number more than about 50, and even of those that got free
one of the Cardiff steamers has since been captured in the
North Sea by the Germans.

Swansea Harbour Trustees had a very encouraging report
before them on Monday, the financial statement for May
showing a profit—a welcome change after so many months
of adverse balance; and it was stated that much heavier ship-
ment of coal can be made if only steamers were obtainable.

It is understood that Mr. W. Law, general manager of the
Swansea Harbour, has decided to retire after a service of 24
years. Formerly, Mr. Law was connected with the North-
Eastern Railway, was at Tyne Dock, and afterwards was
dock superintendent for the'Hull and Barnsley Railway
Company.

Reference to the annual report of the South Wales Chamber
of Commerce shows that the outstanding fact in the situation
is the very healthy position of the coal industry; for even
after allowance has been made for Admiralty requirements,
and their effect in maintaining the market, there is abundant
proof of the widespread and urgent demand for the famous
steam coal. The figures in the report show for 1915 an
approximate decrease of 13 per cent, in shipments from
Cardiff port (which includes the docks of Barry and Penarth);
and the noteworthy feature is that Barry, in respect of coal,

coke, and patent fuel, exceeded Cardiff in its total (nearly
9f million tons, against less than 9J million tons). The total
for the three sets of docks reached nearly 22| millions of tons,
compared with more than 25| millions in 1914. The output
for the whole coal field, which includes Monmouthshire, is
estimated to have been about 51 millions of tons, 5f millions
less than in the record year of 1913.

Mr. G. Warren, general manager of the Tynant and other
collieries in Carmarthenshire, has been elected a Fellow of the
Geological Society, being proposed by the Government repre-
sentatives who made the re-survey of the South Wales coal
field, his own special work having been in study of the
undeveloped portions of the mineral territory in Pembroke-
shire.

Cardiff Railway Company have not yet brought into use
for coal traffic their railway from Treforest to the docks,
which was completed several years ago, a dispute as to the
junction with the Taff Vale Railway, whence they would
receive the traffic at Treforest, preventing their operations;
One phase of the dispute has this week come before the
Chancery Court, the validity of a notice to treat, given in
1906, being questioned. The Taff Vale Company are plain-
tiffs, and seek a declaration that the Cardiff company are not
entitled to enter upon the land.

Dr. Burrows, formerly of South Wales University College,
and now principal of King’s College, London, has announced
that a formula has been discovered for making the special
quality of glass required for miners’ lamps. This glass was
obtained from the Continent before the war, but owing to
storage of supplies, experiments have been carried out at
King’s College by Prof. H. Jackson and Dr. T. Morten, and
their formula has been published by the Glass Research Com-
mittee of the Institute of Chemistry.

The question raised at Risca Council with regard to com-
pensation for damage caused by subsidence through under-
ground workings, has been advanced a further stage by the
formal resolution of the Buildings’ Committee of that body to
ask that the Abercarn, and the Ebbw Vale councils would
co-operate in the movement. The promoters are disappointed
because no action has followed the discussion at the con-
ference of the Urban District Councils Association; and it is
contended that the Council itself, as a public authority, has
a case for compensation, being the proprietor of the gas and
water mains, and being put to heavy cost for repair of gas
and water mains, whilst the leaseholders of property are
continually having to bear the burdenof repairing damage
caused by subsidence. The resolution submitted is that the
Risca Council shall approach the Government, asking for a
Bill giving security to the leaseholder, and also compensating
local authorities; and a copy of the resolution is to be for-
warded to local members of Parliament. It is understood
that the Urban Councils Association seeks to have such an
amendment of the Public Health Act as will afford protection
against damage caused by subsidence to sewers or drains. It
is stated that, but for colliery subsidence, 500 houses would
have been erected at one place in that locality.

Further negotiation has taken place during the past
few days in regard to the payment of dock and harbour dues
by the Government on account of vessels on Admiralty
service. Payment has hitherto been made in most ports as
a matter of grace, but it is now .announced that an all-round
payment of three-fourths of the dues will be made in respect
of docks, but nothing in respect of harbour dues. Goods as
well as ships are to be liable. The claim of the dock and
harbour authorities to be paid in full is not conceded. To
Newport the change is of great advantage, nothing having
been payable previously. Swansea will get 75 per cent,
instead of 66§. Barry, Cardiff, and Penarth get payment in
full, the docks being owned by railway companies.

Two serious cases have come before the local courts, show-
ing the risks attendant upon boys’ mischief. Four youths
were ordered, at Blackwood Court, to pay £10 on account of
injury to a tram, and a witness stated that had not the
tram jumped the rails the colliery wrould have been damaged
to the extent of thousands of pounds, and probably stopped
working for a long period.—In another case, heard at
Merthyr, two collier boys were fined 20s. each for doing
wilful damage at the Rhymney Company’s Pontlottyn pit,
they having rolled stones down the shaft of the pumping
station and also pieces of iron.

Last month the South Wales imports of pit wood were the
heaviest of any month this year, and supplies were assembled
from, amongst other places, Newfoundland, Darien (U.S.A.),
and New York. The long voyage and the high freight rates
from Newfoundland and the States illustrates the heavy
demand for miming timber in South Wales. Despite the
high price of imported wood, the long haul on native timber
to the collieries and the high railway rates, brings the price
almost to the level of the foreign wood. The timber adjacent
to collieries, as, for instance, in Monmouthshire, has, of
course, benefited by the heavy cuttings, larch, spruce, and
pine being in good request, as well as 13 ft. lengths of oak
for ‘‘collars.” The crop of old trees have been split into
cogs of 3 ft. 3in., and have commanded a good sale. As in
other parts of the country, the woodland area in the district
has been ruthlessly cut to supply the heavy demand for
timber, especially in Monmouthshire, the Forest of Dean,
and around the vicinity of Weston-super-Mare. At the
present rate of consumption it is estimated that the country
will be bare of woods and forests during the next four years.
The Royal Scottish Arboricultural Society are taking up the
subject of re-afforestation in Scotland, and the Government,
it is stated, have made up their minds to deal with the
question. In South Wales there are vast tracts which could
be utilised for the growing of larch, spruce, and fir.

Northumberland and Durham.

Funds for Homes—Extraordinary Fatality—North Country-
men Wounded—A Successful Agent—Proposed Organi-
sation—An Unusual Charge.

Mr. Thomas Miller, who has completed a term of service
of 371 years as checkweighman at the Margaret and Dorothea
pits, Philadelphia, and has been secretary of the Philadelphia
Lodge of the Durham Miners’ Association for over twenty
years, has received a gold watch as a token of the members’
appreciation of his services.

Rose Day, in aid of the funds of the Durham Aged Mine
Workers’ Homes Association, is fixed for to-morrow (Satur-
day), and hopes are entertained of a record collection.
Certainly the association has done splendid work, under very
difficult circumstances, during the past year. Eighty-eight
new cottages have been opened, and more are in process of
erection. The colliery workers’ contributions during the
year have totalled over £7,000, bringing the aggregate con-
tributions of the miners since the establishment of the fund

to over £50,000. In addition, there have been many and
substantial contributions in cash and kind (the latter includ-
ing sites for cottages and the provision of building materials
and coals) from the colliery owners, officials and others,
bringing the total cash income of the association up to nearly
£100,000. The estate value of the association is now £64,856,
and over 300 homes have been provided. At Sunderland,
the annual collection has been deferred until July 29, when
the Wearmouth Colliery miners and mechanics intend to
make the only appeal to the general public—as apart from
the mining population—which will be made in the county.

An extraordinary fatality occurred in Mainsforth Colliery
recently, when Jacob Joyce was proceeding inbye to his
working place. He was carrying four pick-heads, newly
sharpened, when he met a putter coming outbye w-ith a full
tub to which a pony was attached. Owing to the small space
in which deceased had to pass, the tub caught the pick-heads
and forced the points into his stomach, causing a fatal injury.

James Collinson, a pony putter, employed by Messrs.
Pease and Partners Limited, at Ushaw Moor Colliery, was
recently allowed the privilege of hewing coal in his spare
time, but soon followed the example of a certain section of
hewers who are wont to fill coal off the wall. In this case he
had widened the passage from 8 ft. to 11 ft. At Lanchester
Petty Sessions last wTeek he was fined £2.—Francis Stephen-
son, another miner, was similarly treated for the same
offence.

Amongst the many north-country officers who have been
wounded recently in France are several prominently con-
nected w7ith and well known in the coal trade. Lieut. T. W.
Thompson, who appears in the casualty lists, was employed
by the Cambois Coal Company Limited prior to the war.
Capt. James Russell, who is also wounded, is a partner in the
coal exporting firm of Messrs. William F. Russell and Sons,
Exchange-buildings, Newcastle. The latter was well known
on Newcastle Commercial Exchange.

Another instance of the ease with which one may fall into
error in attributing to an accident death following upon the
casualty was shown at the inquest held on the body of Thos.
Metcalf, shifter at the Margaret pit, Newbottle, who died at
the end of last month after having been incapacitated from
work and in receipt of compensation ever since September
last, when he sustained an injury to his ribs. A post-mortem
examination showed that there was no sign of breakage of the
ribs or of internal bruising, but that death was due to the
bursting of a malignant growth in the large intestine. A
verdict of “ Death from natural causes ” w7as returned.

Mr. C. A. Nelson, agent of the Wallsend and Hebburn
Coal Company, Limited, has been co-opted as a member of the
Wallsend Town Council, in succession to Dr. Thomas
Aitchison, resigned. Commenting on his appointment, the
Shields Gazette says : ‘‘ Mr. Nelson has been agent for
only four years, and what he has achieved in that brief time
in connection with the collieries is little short of marvellous.
He found old collieries wrhich were costly to work, and a
newer one which was not producing quantities in proper
. proportion to the cost. He has revolutionised the pits. New
and up-to-date plant has taken the place of old gear, with the
result that there has been secured economy in working and
a considerably enhanced output. He has also sunk new
shafts, and, instead of three he now has five pits, three
being new and the old ones made as good as new. . . . The
Hebburn pit, which is over a century old, is to-day as modern
in its equipment underground as any mine in the northern
counties.”

An extraordinary fatality befell a screener and trimmer
named Ellison whilst working at New Brancepeth Colliery
on Monday evening last. He was missed from his place for
several hours, and subsequently his body was found in the
small coal hopper into which, apparently, he had fallen, and
had been suffocated.

For reasons with which we have not yet been made
acquainted, there seems to be a probability of an organisation
rival to the Northumberland and Durham Miners’ Perma-
nent Relief Fund being established in Durham county. We
gather this from the fact that a conference of 33 representa-
tives of 19 collieries has been held in the Lambton Miners’
Hall “ for the purpose of starting a fund w’hereby a uniform
grant shall be given to the dependants of workmen killed by
fatal accidents and to dependants of workmen who die from
natural causes.” The conference unanimously agreed as to
the desirability of such a fund, and elected the following
officials : Chairman, Mr. Eli Cook, J.P., Handon Hold;
secretary, Mr. T. Foster, Durham ; committee, Messrs. W.
Armin (Kimblesworth), R. Boad (Dawdon), W. Cook
(Pelton Fell), J. Foster (Mainsforth), J. Gill (Harton), J..
Hook (Dunston), W. Hunter (Shotton), J. H. Kelly (South
Moor Hedley pit), G. W. Thornton (Newfield), G. Usher
(Horden), and J. Wilson (Harraton).

A somewhat unusual charge occupied the attention of the
county magistrates at Newcastle on Wednesday, resulting in
Edward Lee being fined £6 and Frank J. Lee, his son, £4.
Defendants were charged by the North Walbottle Coal
Company, by which they were employed, with having been
concerned in the obtaining of money by false pretences. The
younger was a putter, and, having produced a birth certifi-
cate showing that he was 20 years of age, was sent to work
as a putter-hewer, receiving, over a given period, £27 4s. Id.
in wages, as compared with £20 Ils. 7d. which he would
have received as a single putter. A complaint from a work-
man resulted in the discovery that the younger defendant
was only 19 years of age, and that the certificate had been
altered. The elder defendant said he would take full respon-
sibility in the matter. Mr. Jos. Severs, agent for the
company, stated that the company had lost nothing through
defendants’ action, but another employee, who would, in the
ordinary course, have received the promotion, had.

In accordance with local custom, the Dorothea pit at Phila-
delphia was laid idle on Tuesday, following a fatal accident
in the workings. The victim was John Poulter, 66, waste-
man in the main coal seam, w7ho had been buried and suffo-
cated by a fall of small stone.

Yorkshire.

Further colliery developments in the Doncaster district
were indicated at a town-planning enquiry held at the Union
Offices by Mr. G. L. Pepler, of the Local Government Board,
into an application for permission to prepare a scheme for
Armthorpe and Kirk Sand all. Mr. H. M. Marshall, clerk
to the Doncaster Rural District Council, stated that the
reason for the application was that a large colliery — the
largest in the Doncaster area--was being developed, and
that immediately to the north of the colliery it was proposed
to erect a garden village, to be called the Markham Garden
Village. There would be 1,000 houses on the site, and the
lay-out had been approved and a plan of the houses sub-
mitted.